Saudi Arabia – Light Armored Vehicles

Media/Public Contact
Charles Taylor (703) 601-3859 / Paul Ebner (703) 601-3670
Transmittal No
10-68

WASHINGTON, June 13, 2011 – The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress Friday of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Saudi Arabia of a variety of light armored vehicles and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $263 million.

The Government of Saudi Arabia has requested a possible sale of 23 LAV-25mm Light Armored Vehicles (LAV), 14 LAV Personnel Carriers, 4 LAV Ambulances, 3 LAV Recovery Vehicles, 9 LAV Command and Control Vehicles, 20 LAV Anti-Tank (TOW) Vehicles, 155 AN/PVS-7B Night Vision Goggles, M257 Smoke Grenade Launchers, Improved Thermal Sight Systems (ITSS) and Modified Improved TOW Acquisition Systems (MITAS), Defense Advanced Global Positioning System Receivers, AN/USQ-159 Camouflage Net Sets, M2A2 Aiming Circles, compasses, plotting boards, reeling machines, sight bore optical sets, telescopes, switchboards, driver vision enhancers, spare and repair parts, support and test equipment, personnel training and training equipment, publications and technical documentation, U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $263 million.

This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country which has been and continues to be an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East.

The proposed sale of Light Armored Vehicles will provide a highly mobile, light combat vehicle capability enabling Saudi Arabia to rapidly identify, engage, and defeat perimeter security threats and readily employ counter- and anti-terrorism measures. The vehicles will enhance the stability and security operations for boundaries and territorial areas encompassing the Arabian Peninsula. Saudi Arabia will have no difficulty absorbing these LAVs into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The prime contractors will be General Dynamics Land Systems in Sterling Heights, Michigan and the Raytheon Corporation in Tucson, Arizona. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale may require the assignment of approximately five additional U.S. Government and ten contractor representatives through at least 2014.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale. This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded.

-30-